| Ellenville Fire District Seeks Federal Funding to Support New Firehouse Project
District Applies to Congressman Riley’s Community Project Funding Program as Plans for Truck Bays and Modernized Facility Advance
Ellenville, NY — The Ellenville Fire District has applied for federal funding support through the office of Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) under the Fiscal Year 2027 Community Project Funding (CPF) program. The application represents an important step in securing the resources needed to build a modern, purpose-built firehouse that will serve the community for the next 100 years.
The Community Project Funding initiative allows members of Congress to direct federal resources toward high-impact local projects that address critical community needs. The Ellenville Fire District, a volunteer department serving Ulster County, New York, is applying as a local government entity eligible for this program.
A Vision Built to Last
As reported last November, the Ellenville Fire District announced major progress in the planning and development of a new firehouse to be located at 189 South Main Street (Route 209). The project is designed to replace two outdated, undersized leased facilities that no longer meet the operational or safety needs of the department. The District currently operates from three locations, including a substation on Route 52 in Greenfield Park, which will remain in service to cover the western portion of the district.
The site has already undergone significant preparation, including the removal of dilapidated structures and the completion of environmental cleanup. The District is now advancing into the next phase: finalizing programming and design documents to define the full scope and construction cost of the facility.
Truck Bays Built for the Future
One of the most critical elements of the new firehouse is the design of its apparatus bays. The District’s current leased facilities have bay door heights as low as ten feet — well below the thirteen foot-six-inch maximum vehicle height permitted on New York roadways under Department of Transportation guidelines.
Over the years, modern fire truck requirements have changed significantly. Mandatory crew cabs and updated safety features have made today’s apparatus considerably larger than what older firehouses were designed to accommodate. Some fire departments have been forced to purchase custom-built trucks at a significant premium simply to fit their existing bays — an option that certain manufacturers are beginning to phase out entirely.
The new facility addresses this problem directly. Bay doors will be fourteen feet wide by thirteen feet eight inches high, ensuring that every vehicle currently permitted on public roads — including all trucks now in the fleet and any acquired in the future — will fit without modification or custom ordering.
“It is designed so that the largest vehicle permitted to drive on our roads will fit into the facility, including all trucks we now have and any future trucks we get,” noted Fire Chief Jody Krom.
A Comprehensive, Modern Facility
The new firehouse will include a total of six apparatus bays, three of which will be tandem bays with overhead doors at both the front and rear of the building. This configuration will accommodate all current front-line and ancillary vehicles. The design also includes:
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A dedicated standby room and gear rack locker area for firefighter turnout gear, located away from the truck bays to eliminate safety hazards from gear stored adjacent to responding apparatus
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Ancillary gear wash area, tool and workshop space, toilets with showers, and ample storage including a storage mezzanine
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An OSHA-compliant gear and support area
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A ready room and radio communications/dispatch center
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Administrative offices and records storage
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A training area for firefighters to practice and maintain certifications
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A community room that doubles as a 24/7 emergency shelter, equipped with a backup generator and food preparation facilities
Leadership Comments
“This new firehouse isn’t just about bricks and mortar — it’s about building a safer, stronger Ellenville community,” said Chief Jody Krom. “Our firefighters deserve a facility that protects them while they protect others, and our community deserves a space that can serve them in times of need. We’re building this for the next generation — and the one after that.”
Dean Burburan, Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners, reaffirmed the District’s commitment to a deliberate, responsible planning process: “We are designing this facility not just for today, but for the next century of service. Every decision we make is focused on durability, safety, and community value. We are proceeding in a very deliberate and diligent fashion, dotting all our I’s and crossing all our T’s
each step of the way, to assure the community that the resultant facility design and budget will be in the best interest of the community that we as volunteers serve.”
Federal Funding Application
The District’s application for $5 million to Congressman Riley’s FY27 Community Project Funding program reflects the scale and community importance of the project. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments — a category that encompasses the Ellenville Fire District as a special district of Ulster County. Community Project Funding allows Congress to direct federal resources to high-impact local infrastructure projects that might otherwise struggle to secure financing.
Congressman Josh Riley represents New York’s 19th Congressional District, which includes Ulster County. His office has been accepting CPF requests for the upcoming federal fiscal year.
Congressman Riley expressed his support for the project on social media, writing that he was “proud to support the push for a new, consolidated firehouse that will give these Upstate heroes the tools they need and the support they deserve.”
Looking Ahead
As the project continues to advance, the Fire District is working with professional consultants to assist with planning, design, and final budget development. Public presentations and community meetings will be held to keep residents informed throughout the process.
For the latest updates and accurate information about the new firehouse project, visit the Fire District’s website at www.ellenvillefiredistrict.org.
Architect Rendering of the New Ellenville Fire District Facility.
Contact:
Ellenville Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners aburburan@ellenvillefiredistrict.org www.ellenvillefiredistrict.org |
